N&O high school wrestling preview: Riverside starts over after big run

Riverside peaked at the right time last season and advanced all the way to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A dual-team East final before falling to eventual state champion Jack Britt out of Fayetteville.

But the Pirates will have to start new this year under coach Brandon Palmer, a former star wrestler at the school. Gone are state champions Jaquon Sowell (a two-time champ) and Gary Whitaker and all four state qualifiers. The graduation losses likely mean this year in the Triangle will be much like the last – filled with parity.

Last year’s final N&O top 15

2. Holly Springs (26-1): The Golden Hawks are led by senior Cam Devers, who went 47-3 at 138 pounds and was runner-up for the 4A title. Holly Springs returns three other state qualifiers: Daniel Meyers (106 pounds last season), senior Nick Connochie (152) and senior Elijah Geniesse (160).

3. Orange (26-2): The Panthers bring back three of their four state qualifiers: sophomore Bailey Hawkins (113), senior Gonzalo Garcia Contoral (132) and senior Joe Scott (138). Scott was fourth in 3A.

4. Cary (31-4): Kollin Wade is the reigning state champ at 145 pounds and went 40-2 overall. The Imps also return regional champs Reid Stewart (113), a junior who was sixth in 4A, and senior 285-pounder Rod Perry.

5. Athens Drive (27-4): Coming off a school-record 27 wins, the Jaguars return just one state qualifier – Faris Busisou (113), a junior.

6. Chatham Central (24-7): The 1A state power Bears were second in the dual-team and team tournament championships. They return state champ Nick Daggett, a junior, went 41-1 last year at 106 pounds. Junior Sam Azar (152) was also a regional champ while senior Tre Edwards (132) was a state qualifier.

Northern Durham (12-12): Senior Demazio Samuel was third in 4A at 195 pounds.

Northwood (19-7): Junior Hunter Queen went 50-7 overall and finished third in 3A, while senior John Dunning was sixth at 195 pounds. The Chargers also bring back senior Ian Anderson, (126) and senior Michael Queen (182) from last year’s state tournament.

Panther Creek (15-6): The Catamounts bring back senior Miles Kent (152) and senior Chad Laska (160) as state qualifiers.

Wake Forest (9-8): The Cougars return Nick Mutio, a senior who went 41-1 and was third in the 120-pound 4A class – his only loss was an injury forfeit in the state tournament. Junior Joey Hannum was the Mideast regional champ at 106 pounds. Sander Cypher, a junior, was a state qualifier at 145 pounds.